Update - We called the local Diocese and received information that the school is a 501(c)3. An easy fix was to put the fundraiser under the school's name instead of the PSO (since the money just goes back to them anyway).
Applying for your 501(c)(3) isn't something I'd like to do again, but you definitely don't need someone to do it for you. The IRS uses a lot of formal, legal wordage that can be overwhelming, but it's not that bad. In fact, when I got confused at one part, pals was instrumental in helping us get it when she explained what they meant in one section! Hopefully you've been keeping good records, and have someone who is detailed oriented, and since you've already been doing what you're doing, there sholdn't be any problem.
madeline I would agree with critter, there is no reason that someone very organized can do the 501c. I did our groups last year, i got ALOT off of this forum(JHB) and within five weeks we had our determination letter, the irs never called with any questions at all, it takes alot of time but it is very possible you can do it.just make sure all you i's are dotted and t's are crossed!! the one thing you do want to do is incorporate first if you plan on being incorporated. when doing that we got turned down at first because we had to get permission from our state ed department to use our school name in our name(Parents At Lanigan School), all that took was a letter from the super and our principal.Once we had that we were set. good luck
"When you stop learning you stop growing."
Madeline - I would not hire someone to do the 501c3 application. There's no question that completing Form 1023 is an involved process that requires the dedication of a detail-oriented person. But, many, many PTOs have done it successfully simply by relying on the time and talent of their volunteers. Even if you hire someone, your PTO will need to pull together lots of info for the application. In some respects, that's the hardest part of the job anyway.
There's no harm in trying to do it yourself first. Plus there's tons of help here on this forum and through membership in PTOToday's National PTO Network if you want.
CoPrez - is your parent group a separate entity from your school? Do you have your own tax id number with your own bank account and total control over your money? If yes, then follow JHB's advice. If no....
If your parent group (the folks who are doing the volunteering at the games) is part of the school, then your group doesn't exist in the IRS's eyes and the football team should be making its checks out to the school with a memo like "for Parent's Club". A public or parochial school is automatically tax exempt and probably doesn't even have a determiniation letter (since they shouldn't have had to ever file for tax exempt status). In this case, I would call the IRS and ask how a school would get a determination letter.
One easy way to tell if your parent's club is part of the school and not a separate entity: if the school's tax id number on the club's bank account, then your parents' club is an arm of the school. If the club has its own unique tax id number, then you are set up as a separate entity (that oversimplifies it a little, but it's a good place to start your investigation).
Hopefully you've been keeping good records, and have someone who is detailed oriented, and since you've already been doing what you're doing, there sholdn't be any problem. 